Is it only me or do you find yourself getting aggravated when the days start getting shorter?
As August drifts away I've been noticing it more and more. It used to get dark after 8, now it's getting dark by 7:30. I see the creeping shadows and my mind fast forwards to thoughts of sinking temperatures, nights that never seem to end, and -- dare I say it? -- SNOW!
ACK!!!
And by the time I've reached this point, it's pretty much downhill from there.
But I also have been thinking that I need to change how I think about this "end of summer" thing.
I can choose to be angry and depressed about the natural cycle that happens every year, without fail, or I can savor the now and look forward to the good that will come out of the time ahead.
I choose in Christ to savor the now.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Integrity - Wishful Thinking or What?
I've been spending times in Proverbs, a book in the Bible that focuses on Godly wisdom, and the importance of applying that wisdom to everyday life. As a follow-up to "Daniel - A Man of Character" -- which I mentioned in my last posting, one Proverb in particular about integrity caught my eye:
"Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked." (Proverbs 25:26, Amplified)
Doing the right thing on a daily basis is definitely a challenge, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). The more we trust Him to help us, the more we will overcome the hurdles that are inevitable, even strategically placed in our lives by satan (and sometimes created by our own desires and stubbornness!).
In life I'm always about the "how," how does one do a thing, bring it from the vague to the practical. Things that seem so difficult become much easier when we trust God and let him take control.
King David knew a thing or two about really trusting God. In the Book of Psalms, chapter 28 and verse 7, he says:
"The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him."
David trusted God and God helped him. When we're willing, God does the same for us today.
With God, walking in integrity isn't an arduous path. There's less gritting of teeth, less stress and strain. With Him the integrity walk is easier, more enjoyable.
When we travel with Him and there's a roadblock ahead, when our ears are inclined to Him He gives answers about how to go over it, around it, or eliminate it. When there are forks in the road He guides us in the way we should go. And when others try to take us down a path that's headed toward a dead end He cultivates focus in us that keeps us moving forward, following Him.
In the process integrity becomes a natural part of who we are and how we function. It also becomes a witness to the world of the reality of Who He Is -- the Great I AM.
"Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked." (Proverbs 25:26, Amplified)
Doing the right thing on a daily basis is definitely a challenge, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). The more we trust Him to help us, the more we will overcome the hurdles that are inevitable, even strategically placed in our lives by satan (and sometimes created by our own desires and stubbornness!).
In life I'm always about the "how," how does one do a thing, bring it from the vague to the practical. Things that seem so difficult become much easier when we trust God and let him take control.
King David knew a thing or two about really trusting God. In the Book of Psalms, chapter 28 and verse 7, he says:
"The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him."
David trusted God and God helped him. When we're willing, God does the same for us today.
With God, walking in integrity isn't an arduous path. There's less gritting of teeth, less stress and strain. With Him the integrity walk is easier, more enjoyable.
When we travel with Him and there's a roadblock ahead, when our ears are inclined to Him He gives answers about how to go over it, around it, or eliminate it. When there are forks in the road He guides us in the way we should go. And when others try to take us down a path that's headed toward a dead end He cultivates focus in us that keeps us moving forward, following Him.
In the process integrity becomes a natural part of who we are and how we function. It also becomes a witness to the world of the reality of Who He Is -- the Great I AM.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
New posting on Hopelives.net!
When you have a few minutes, you're invited to check a new posting on the HopeLives website, http://www.hopelives.net/ called "Daniel -- A Man of Character," about the prophet Daniel.
Some years ago I seriously wondered if it was possible to honor God on the job and still get ahead. Can you scale the ladder of success without compromising? Daniel's story and life experience have shown me that it's not only possible, but that God can cause you to excel -- even 10 times more than the competition -- by doing this His way.
Some years ago I seriously wondered if it was possible to honor God on the job and still get ahead. Can you scale the ladder of success without compromising? Daniel's story and life experience have shown me that it's not only possible, but that God can cause you to excel -- even 10 times more than the competition -- by doing this His way.
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